CGR4M

COURSE FEATURES
The Environment and Resource Management, Grade 12, College/University Preparation
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Strategies of an Environmental Geographer

In this unit, you will be introduced to the Concepts of Geographic Thinking and the Geographic Inquiry Model. You will learn a variety of ways to implement this model and the concepts to current natural resource issues facing Canadians. Topics such as the Alberta Oil Sands, pipeline development, and Arctic resource development will be explored. You will be exposed to activities such as photo interpretation, deep inquiry question creation, spatial analysis and Google My Maps. You will also learn the importance of both personal reflection and peer evaluation which will help you to further their learning throughout the course.

Earth’s Spheres, Ecosystems and Protected Spaces

In this unit, you will learn about the interrelationships within and between the natural and human environment. You will develop skills related to gathering and analyzing data, including the use of primary and secondary sources. Topics such as invasive species, the interactions between the Earth’s spheres, and ecological footprints will be investigated. Tools such as graphic organizers and online footprint calculators will be used to help you gain a strong understanding of the connections between the natural and human environment and your role within it.

Managing our Natural Resources: The Balancing Act

In this unit, you will explore natural resource development and the interconnections with the development of a region, resource use, and the environmental impact of extraction. You will also learn to analyze the roles that individuals, governments and organizations play in ensuring sustainable management of natural resources. Finally, you will learn to identify and evaluate the social, economic, political and environmental impacts of natural resource development. Case studies such as the LNG pipeline, the James Bay Hydroelectric Project and logging in Maranhão will be examined.

The Power of
Stewardship

In this unit, you will be learning about the various ways that Canada and other countries protect their land and species. Case studies such as the grizzly trophy hunting ban will be examined, as well as a variety of graphs and charts that depict Canada’s current efforts to protect our land and species. You will also be learning about global environmental and resource management agreements formed between countries, and the role Canada plays in these agreements. Examples such as the Paris Agreement and the Montreal Protocol will help to demonstrate these concepts. In addition, you will be learning about various strategies that can reduce the environmental impacts of buildings and structures.

Course Description

This course investigates interactions between natural and human systems, with a particular emphasis on the impacts of human activity on ecosystems and natural processes. Students will use the geographic inquiry process, apply the concepts of geographic thinking, and employ a variety of spatial skills and technologies to analyse these impacts and propose ways of reducing them. In the course of their investigations, they will assess resource management and sustainability practices, as well as related government policies and international accords. They will also consider questions of individual responsibility and environmental stewardship as they explore ways of developing a more sustainable relationship with the environment. 

Overall Curriculum Expectations

A. Geographic Inquiry and Skill Development

  • A1. Geographic Inquiry: use the geographic inquiry process and the concepts of geographic thinking when investigating issues related to the environment and the management of natural resources;
  • A2. Developing Transferable Skills: apply in everyday contexts skills, including spatial skills, developed through geographical investigation, and identify careers in which a background in geography might be an asset

B. Spatial Organization

  • B1. Protecting Species and Spaces: assess various strategies used for protecting natural spaces and species, locally, nationally, and globally;
  • B2. Human Impacts: assess impacts of human population settlement on natural spaces and species; 
  • B3. The Earth’s Ecosystems: analyse relationships between the spheres of the earth and the characteristics of ecosystems

C. Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources

  • C1. Policies and Strategies: analyse the roles and contributions of individuals, governments, and organizations with respect to the sustainable management of the world’s natural resources;
  • C2. Development of Natural Resources: analyse impacts of resource development on the natural and human environment, and assess ways of managing resource development sustainably;
  • C3. Availability and Use of Natural Resources: assess the availability of various natural resources, and analyse factors affecting their exploitation and use.

D. Ecological Systems: Interconnections and Interdependence

  • D1. Reducing Pollution: analyse challenges involved in reducing pollution from human activities, and assess the effectiveness of various methods of pollution reduction;
  • D2. Impacts of Pollution: evaluate impacts of various types of pollution on the natural environment and on human health;
  • D3. Ecological Processes: describe key ecological and biological processes, and explain how they are affected by human activities.

E. Community Action

E1. Developing Solutions: assess a variety of strategies for resolving environmental and natural resource management issues, locally, nationally, and/or globally;
E2. Community Land Use and Infrastructure: assess impacts of community land use and infrastructure on humans and the natural environment, and assess ways of reducing these impacts;
E3. Ecological Footprints: analyse impacts of various human behaviours on the natural environment, and assess the role of behaviour, ethics, and technology in reducing these impact.
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